職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Titus 1:1-9)

2014.08.26 QT 信息影片

經文

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness--
2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

1神的僕人，耶穌基督的使徒保羅，憑著神選民的信心與敬虔真理的知識，
2盼望那無謊言的神在萬古之先所應許的永生，
3到了日期，藉著傳揚的工夫把他的道顯明了；這傳揚的責任是按著神我們救主 ​​的命令交託了我。
4現在寫信給提多，就是照著我們共信之道作我真兒子的。願恩惠、平安從父神和我們的救主基督耶穌歸與你！
5我從前留你在革哩底，是要你將那沒有辦完的事都辦整齊了，又照我所吩咐你的，在各城設立長老。
6若有無可指責的人，只作一個婦人的丈夫，兒女也是信主的，沒有人告他們是放蕩不服約束的，就可以設立。
7監督既是神的管家，必須無可指責，不任性，不暴躁，不因酒滋事，不打人，不貪無義之財；
8樂意接待遠人，好善，莊重，公平，聖潔自持；
9堅守所教真實的道理，就能將純正的教訓勸化人，又能把爭辯的人駁倒了。

單字片語

• elect: 選民
• godliness: 敬虔
• entrusted: 委託
• straighten out: 理順
• elders: 長老
• blameless: 無可指責
• overseer: 監督
• overbearing: 霸道
• quick-tempered: 性急
• hospitable: 好客
• doctrine: 教條

Reflection

Greetings from Paul to Titus (1:1~4)

Paul’s initial greeting to Titus presents his entire thesis for the letter in the very first verse. He introduces himself as both servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. The posture of a Christian leader is that of servanthood. This follows the example of Christ, “for even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Paul continues, stating that his job as servant and apostle is to further the faith of the church and their knowledge of the Gospel, leading to godly living.  And that is the whole point of the letter to Titus. The rest of the letter will unpack this theme little by little.

- Do you desire to grow in your faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Gospel so that you might live a godly life? What steps might you take today to make that goal a reality?

單字片語

• posture: 態度
• ransom: 贖金
• stating: 陳述
• godly life: 敬虔的生活

The Elder’s Character (1:5~9)  

If you have ever looked at the criteria for a pastoral opportunity in a job forum, you might find that it lists much about what the pastor is expected to do, but little about the character requirements. In contrast, Paul lists numerous qualifications in regard to a pastor’s character, but says very little about what they are expected to do. There are two conclusions we can draw about what Paul writes regarding elder qualifications: 1) The qualifications have an overarching sense of spiritual maturity, meaning that a pastor should not be a recent convert. 2) The list is reflective of a leader’s heart, characterized by humility. It is the fruit of the Spirit in action in the life of someone gifted to lead like Jesus.

- Biblical leadership is more about character than giftedness. How can you grow in this sort of character in order to be an asset to your church, whether you are in a leadership role or not?

單字片語

• criteria: 規範
• regarding: 關於
• qualifications: 資格
• overarching: 總體

A letter to God 

Father, I pray for those who aspire to church leadership, that they would be of upright character and humble in heart and mind. I also pray that godly leaders would train up more godly Christians to impact this world for Your glory and our joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Mark 12:35-44)

2014.08.07 QT 信息影片

經文

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?
36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." '
37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.
38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces,
39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

35耶穌在殿裡教訓人，就問他們說：文士怎麼說基督是大衛的子孫呢﹖
36大衛被聖靈感動，說：主對我主說，你坐在我的右邊，等我使你仇敵作你的腳凳。
37大衛既自己稱他為主，他怎麼又是大衛的子孫呢﹖ 眾人都喜歡聽他。
38耶穌在教訓之間，說：你們要防備文士；他們好穿長衣遊行，喜愛人在街市上問他們的安，
39又喜愛會堂裡的高位，筵席上的首座。
40他們侵吞寡婦的家產，假意做很長的禱告。這些人要受更重的刑罰！
41耶穌對銀庫坐著，看眾人怎樣投錢入庫。有好些財主往裡投了若干的錢。
42有一個窮寡婦來，往裡投了兩個小錢，就是一個大錢。
43耶穌叫門徒來，說：我實在告訴你們，這窮寡婦投入庫裡的，比眾人所投的更多。
44因為，他們都是自己有餘，拿出來投在裡頭；但這寡婦是自己不足，把他一切養生的都投上了。

單字片語

• delight: 高興
• flowing robes: 長袍
• be greeted in: 被迎接
• synagogues: 猶太教堂
• banquets：宴會
• devour: 吞沒
• punished: 懲罰
• severely: 嚴重地
• treasury: 財庫
• wealth: 財富

Reflection

Beware False Teachers! (12:35~40) 

We all know that just because a teacher sounds good does not mean that they know what they are talking about. But sometimes, because their words are long and sound professional, or because they have a position and title, we automatically accept what they teach as true and accurate. Certainly, there are plenty of good teachers out there who are intelligent men and women of integrity. However, there are also teachers who are not; they abuse their position and title and teach what they think will make themselves look good. As Jesus teaches the crowds, He warns them about such hypocrites. May God give you a discerning heart and a sharp mind so you will not be fooled by false teachers!

- Do you study God’s Word privately, or do you merely believe whatever is taught to you? Be actively engaged with God’s Word when you listen to sermons and participate in Bible studies.

單字片語

• accurate: 準確的
• abuse: 濫用
• discerning: 有辨別能力的
• sharp mind: 敏銳的頭腦
• merely: 只不過
• sermons: 講道

Everything You Have (12:41~44)

God does not need our money; He created everything. He does not need our time; He is eternal. He asks us to give because it reveals to us, and demonstrates to others, the true condition of our hearts. It also stretches our faith. When we give out of our wealth, we give because we can afford to do so. When we give out of our poverty, we give because there is an implicit trust in God’s providence and an acknowledgement that all that is ours is truly His. This is the right attitude to have in our offerings. In wealth or in poverty, may we always give the best that we have with a grateful and cheerful heart.

- God is able to create anything out of nothing, so clearly, He is not out to count pennies. When you bring everything you have to Him, God can use it for His glory. Pray and watch Him work.

單字片語

• afford: 擔負得起費用
• implicit: 隱含的
• acknowledgement: 承認

A letter to God 

Father in heaven, open up my heart and mind to Your Word. Let me be filled with knowledge and wisdom. What I bring to You is all that I have—my money, my time, my heart, and my life. May it be a pleasing sacrifice to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

門訓查經：使徒行傳 - 第四章

一、彼得、約翰在公會被查問

1使徒對百姓說話的時候，祭司們和守殿官，並撒都該人忽然來了。 2因他們教訓百姓，本著耶穌，傳說死人復活，就很煩惱， 3於是下手拿住他們；因為天已經晚了，就把他們押到第二天。 4但聽道之人有許多信的，男丁數目約到五千。 5第二天，官府、長老，和文士在耶路撒冷聚會， 6又有大祭司亞那和該亞法、約翰、亞歷山大，並大祭司的親族都在那裏， 7叫使徒站在當中，就問他們說：「你們用甚麼能力，奉誰的名做這事呢？」 8那時彼得被聖靈充滿，對他們說： 9「治民的官府和長老啊，倘若今日因為在殘疾人身上所行的善事查問我們他是怎麼得了痊癒， 10你們眾人和以色列百姓都當知道，站在你們面前的這人得痊癒是因你們所釘十字架、神叫他從死裏復活的拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。 11他是 你們匠人所棄的石頭， 已成了房角的頭塊石頭。 12除他以外，別無拯救；因為在天下人間，沒有賜下別的名，我們可以靠著得救。」 13他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的； 14又看見那治好了的人和他們一同站著，就無話可駁。 15於是吩咐他們從公會出去，就彼此商議說： 16「我們當怎樣辦這兩個人呢？因為他們誠然行了一件明顯的神蹟，凡住耶路撒冷的人都知道，我們也不能說沒有。 17惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間，我們必須恐嚇他們，叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。」 18於是叫了他們來，禁止他們總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。 19彼得、約翰說：「聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！ 20我們所看見所聽見的，不能不說。」 21官長為百姓的緣故，想不出法子刑罰他們，又恐嚇一番，把他們釋放了。這是因眾人為所行的奇事都歸榮耀與神。 22原來藉著神蹟醫好的那人有四十多歲了。

經文亮光

• 猶太教四大派別：
• 法利賽人：
• 一個政黨、社會運動和猶太人中間的思想流派。
• 「法利賽」這個名詞源於希伯來語的「分離」，指一些為保持純潔而與俗世保持距離的人，與撒都該人追求俗世的權力及物慾相對。
• 到第二聖殿被毀以後，法利賽教派重新建立為拉比猶太教，並成為了日後傳統猶太教的典範、今日猶太教所有教派的根本。
• 撒都該人：
• 古時猶太教一個以祭司長為中心的教派。
• 只承認聖經的前五卷，在教內是保守派。因而不同於法利賽人，他們不相信靈魂的不滅；肉身的復活；天使以及神靈的存在，藐視口傳法律。
• 對於羅馬人撒都該人比較妥協，便引起了人們的憎恨。
• 艾賽尼派：
• 過著集體生活，推崇禁欲主義(有的甚至單身)、安貧樂道、每日清潔。
• 神秘主義、末世來世、彌賽亞觀、和禁慾苦修。
• 有的學者則認為是艾賽尼人創作了死海古卷。
• 奮銳黨：
• 煽動猶大省的人民反抗羅馬帝國的統治，希望將聖地上的外來者驅除出境。
• 在希伯來語中是「效法者，狂熱崇拜或追隨者」的意思。
• 奮銳黨反對羅馬統治，用暴力手段打擊羅馬人和希臘人，導致聖殿被毀。
• 參考連結：法利賽人 Wiki、撒都該人 Wiki、艾賽尼派 Wiki、奮銳黨 Wiki
• 擁有權柄的人害怕自身權利流失而施行暴力控制：
• 因他們教訓百姓，本著耶穌，傳說死人復活，就很煩惱，於是下手拿住他們；因為天已經晚了，就把他們押到第二天。(使4:2-3)
• 惟恐這事越發傳揚在民間，我們必須恐嚇他們，叫他們不再奉這名對人講論。(使4:17)
• 彼得在被聖靈充滿的情況下回應執政掌權者的審問：
• 叫使徒站在當中，就問他們說：「你們用甚麼能力，奉誰的名做這事呢？」那時彼得被聖靈充滿，對他們說：(使4:7-8)
• 耶穌早已在預言這逼迫，並且提出該怎麼面對：
• 「人家把你們帶上會堂，或是帶到官長或統治者面前受審問的時候，你們不用擔心要怎樣為自己辯護，或是要說些甚麼話；因為在那時候，聖靈會指示你們該說的話。」 (路12:11-12)
• 使徒奉耶穌的名行神蹟奇事：
• 你們眾人和以色列百姓都當知道，站在你們面前的這人得痊癒是因你們所釘十字架、神叫他從死裏復活的拿撒勒人耶穌基督的名。(使4:10)
• 在聖靈充滿下滿有膽量沒有人能反駁所見證的道：
• 他們見彼得、約翰的膽量，又看出他們原是沒有學問的小民，就希奇，認明他們是跟過耶穌的；又看見那治好了的人和他們一同站著，就無話可駁。(使4:13-14)
• 我們要聽從神而不聽從人，所看見所聽見不能不說：
• 彼得、約翰說：「聽從你們，不聽從神，這在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧！我們所看見所聽見的，不能不說。」(使4:19-20)

生命應用

• 將猶太教四大派別對比於目前基督教的派別，有發現什麼類似的對照？
• 你有害怕失去權柄的經歷嗎？或是被害怕失去權柄的領袖控制的經歷？
• 檢視目前生命所做的事，是聽從神？還是聽從人？

二、門徒求主賜膽量

23二人既被釋放，就到會友那裏去，把祭司長和長老所說的話都告訴他們。 24他們聽見了，就同心合意地高聲向神說：「主啊！你是造天、地、海，和其中萬物的， 25你曾藉著聖靈，託你僕人－我們祖宗大衛的口，說： 外邦為甚麼爭鬧？ 萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事？ 26世上的君王一齊起來， 臣宰也聚集， 要敵擋主， 並主的受膏者。 27 希律和本丟‧彼拉多，外邦人和以色列民，果然在這城裏聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌， 28成就你手和你意旨所預定必有的事。 29-30他們恐嚇我們，現在求主鑒察，一面叫你僕人大放膽量講你的道，一面伸出你的手來醫治疾病，並且使神蹟奇事因著你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。」 31禱告完了，聚會的地方震動，他們就都被聖靈充滿，放膽講論神的道。

經文亮光

• 跟隨耶穌的門徒們使用大衛的詩篇見證萬民抵擋主的受膏者：
• 你曾藉著聖靈，託你僕人－我們祖宗大衛的口，說： 外邦為甚麼爭鬧？ 萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事？世上的君王一齊起來， 臣宰也聚集， 要敵擋主， 並主的受膏者。 (使4:25-26)
• 外邦為甚麼爭鬧？萬民為甚麼謀算虛妄的事？世上的君王一齊起來，臣宰一同商議，要敵擋耶和華並他的受膏者，說：我們要掙開他們的捆綁，脫去他們的繩索。(詩2:1-3)
• 跟隨耶穌的門徒們禱告神賜他們膽量放膽傳講與醫治大能來見證耶穌：
• 他們恐嚇我們，現在求主鑒察，一面叫你僕人大放膽量講你的道，一面伸出你的手來醫治疾病，並且使神蹟奇事因著你聖僕耶穌的名行出來。(使4:29-30)

生命應用

• 面對基督徒與非基督徒的拒絕與逼迫，你是如何回應呢？
• 你是否有向神求膽量放膽見證耶穌的大能呢？

三、凡物公用

32那許多信的人都是一心一意的，沒有一人說他的東西有一樣是自己的，都是大家公用。 33使徒大有能力，見證主耶穌復活；眾人也都蒙大恩。 34內中也沒有一個缺乏的；因為人人將田產房屋都賣了，把所賣的價銀拿來， 35放在使徒腳前，照各人所需用的，分給各人。 36有一個利未人，生在塞浦路斯，名叫約瑟，使徒稱他為巴拿巴（巴拿巴翻出來就是勸慰子）。 37他有田地，也賣了，把價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前。

經文亮光

• 跟隨耶穌的生命會看自己的東西不是自己的，而能夠帶著愛分享出去：
• 那許多信的人都是一心一意的，沒有一人說他的東西有一樣是自己的，都是大家公用。(使4:32)
• 巴拿巴有完全獻上的心，因此被揀選跟保羅一起向外邦人宣教：
• 有一個利未人，生在塞浦路斯，名叫約瑟，使徒稱他為巴拿巴（巴拿巴翻出來就是勸慰子）。他有田地，也賣了，把價銀拿來，放在使徒腳前。(使4:36-37)
• 巴拿巴：
• 利未人，生在塞浦路斯(地中海東部島嶼)
• 當眾人都不願接納保羅，他伸出援手，成就福音傳外邦的使命：
• 掃羅到了耶路撒冷，想與門徒結交，他們卻都怕他，不信他是門徒。 惟有巴拿巴接待他，領去見使徒，把他在路上怎麼看見主，主怎麼向他說話，他在大馬士革怎麼奉耶穌的名放膽傳道，都述說出來。(使9:26-27)
• 學者布魯斯留意到，「只要別人需要鼓勵，巴拿巴就義不容辭，施予援手」。
• 「巴拿巴所表現的信心，使馬可回復自信，激發他再次履行自己的承諾」。事實表明巴拿巴對馬可的信心是正確的。後來連保羅也承認馬可在基督徒服事職務上對他很有用。
• 參考連結：巴拿巴 Wiki

生命應用

• 你怎麼看待神放在你身上的一切資源？有因愛分享而充滿喜樂的經歷嗎？
• 巴拿巴的生命特質有什麼值得你學習呢？

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Mark 12:28-34)

2014.08.07 QT 信息影片

經文

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

28有一個文士來，聽見他們辯論，曉得耶穌回答的好，就問他說：誡命中哪是第一要緊的呢﹖
29耶穌回答說：第一要緊的就是說：以色列啊，你要聽，主─我們神是獨一的主。
30你要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主─你的神。
31其次就是說：要愛人如己。再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。
32那文士對耶穌說：夫子說，神是一位，實在不錯；除了他以外，再沒有別的神；
33並且盡心、盡智、盡力愛他，又愛人如己，就比一切燔祭和各樣祭祀好的多。
34耶穌見他回答的有智慧，就對他說：你離神的國不遠了。從此以後，沒有人敢再問他什麼。

單字片語

• debating: 辯論
• commandments: 誡命
• burnt: 燒毀

Reflection

Loving God and Neighbor (12:28~31) 

What God desires more than anything is for our hearts to be completely devoted to Him. But because of sin, we do not know how to love God properly and are not inclined to love Him wholeheartedly. It is understandable, therefore, that all of the other commandments stem from these two: love God and love your neighbor. These principles are reflected throughout all Ten Commandments. The first four deal with Israel’s relationship with God and the remaining six deal with Israel’s relationship with their fellow man. We must remember, however, that obeying God is not so much about keeping the letter of the Law as it is about knowing God’s heart behind the Law.

- Why does God give us certain laws? Surely a good God would establish His laws for a purpose. May He give you wisdom and insight to understand and humility and courage to obey.

單字片語

• devoted to: 致力於
• stem: 樹幹
• throughout: 整個
• insight: 洞察

The Kingdom of God (12:32~34)  

Jesus came to this earth as a carpenter’s son, an unassuming child, no one special, from the small town of Nazareth. It was hard for people to believe that such a wise and authoritative teacher could come from such a backwater town! Perhaps that is why the teachers of the Law could not accept His teaching as truth—because surely nothing good could come from Nazareth! This particular teacher, however, pays no mind to what others say about Jesus and simply listens to His teachings. He inquires about and examines Jesus’ teachings for himself; he makes no assumptions about who Jesus could or could not be. He simply asks a question and discovers that Jesus gives a wise answer. His open heart and mind enable him to recognize the veracity of Jesus’ words. Those who truly seek will certainly find.

- Set aside who everyone else says Jesus is. Examine the Scriptures, pray to God, and decide for yourself based on your own honest study and reflection. Who do you say Jesus is?

單字片語

• carpenter: 木匠
• unassuming: 謙遜
• backwater: 死水、停滯

A letter to God 

Father God, help us to love You more. Help us to love our neighbors. Help us to forgive others and love our enemies. Give us the courage to overcome evil with good. With every decision, may we come closer to knowing Your kingdom on this earth. In Christ’s name. Amen.

職場小組英文 QT 講義 (Mark 12:18-27)

2014.08.06 QT 信息影片

經文

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.
19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother.
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.
21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third.
22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too.
23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"
24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
26 Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

18撒都該人常說沒有復活的事。他們來問耶穌說：
19夫子，摩西為我們寫著說：人若死了，撇下妻子，沒有孩子，他兄弟當娶他的妻，為哥哥生子立後。
20有弟兄七人，第一個娶了妻，死了，沒有留下孩子。
21第二個娶了他，也死了，沒有留下孩子。第三個也是這樣。
22那七個人都沒有留下孩子；末了，那婦人也死了。
23當複活的時候，他是哪一個的妻子呢﹖ 因為他們七個人都娶過他。
24耶穌說：你們所以錯了，豈不是因為不明白聖經，不曉得神的大能嗎﹖
25人從死裡復活，也不娶也不嫁，乃像天上的使者一樣。
26論到死人復活，你們沒有念過摩西的書荊棘篇上所載的嗎﹖ 神對摩西說：我是亞伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。
27神不是死人的神，乃是活人的神。你們是大錯了。

單字片語

• Resurrection: 復活
• Widow: 寡婦
• At the resurrection: 在復活的時刻
• Scriptures: 經文

Reflection

Resurrection (12:18~23)

Because the Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection, they do not quite understand Jesus, and they end up asking the wrong questions. In the same way that married life is not like prolonged dating and having children is not like extended babysitting hours, the resurrected life is not a longer version of life on this earth. While there will be some similarities, our resurrected lives will be very different from our current lives. The Sadducees misunderstand the resurrection completely. They are applying worldly standards to an otherworldly existence, and this leads to an odd line of reasoning that assumes all sorts of problems that simply would not exist in eternity.

- As we seek to grow in our faith, we must learn to ask the right questions. The right questions lead to deeper faith, knowledge of God, and secure peace even when we face the unknown.

單字片語

• Prolonged: 長期的
• Worldly: 世俗的
• Odd: 奇怪的

The God of the Living (12:24~27)

Jesus answers the Sadducees by first pointing out that the dead will indeed rise again. And when the resurrection happens, life will not be as we know it today. Eternal existence is completely different from temporal corporality, and Jesus first and foremost intends to correct their understanding of the resurrection. He flat-out tells them that they are badly mistaken! You cannot build a proper theology of the Living God if you do not believe in the resurrection, for, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (v. 27). Jesus teaches this throughout His ministry and demonstrates that He is the Life, especially in His own death and resurrection. Jesus is indeed alive!

- Everyone dies, but what happens after that? What would be the point of Jesus’ death and resurrection if there were no resurrection for believers? May God give you assurance of salvation and confidence in the resurrection!

單字片語

• Foremost: 最首要的
• Intend: 想要
• Flat out: 斷然地

A letter to God

Father, You truly are the Living God. When we were dead in our sin, You sent Your Son so that we might have life to the fullest. Help us grow in our faith and overcome doubt. Each day, let us live in confidence of the resurrection. In Jesus’ name. Amen.